Exclusive! Watch Cardiknox’s Runway-Inspired New Video

Nov 03, 2015

The downstairs space at Webster Hall is not a huge room, but filling it up on a busy midweek night in the middle of CMJ is no easy task. A few weeks ago, Lonnie Angle, front woman of Cardiknox, pulled that off. She exited the stage of the packed venue wearing Lurex pants, a halter top, and a baggy bomber jacket, with a pale lip and a topknot. She seemed to be channeling Sporty Spice by way of Silver Lake.

“I’ll take it. But I’m more of a Gwen Stefani, I think,” she said to me backstage. Angle, along with her partner, Thomas Dutton (backup vocals and keys), gives the impression of having one foot in the indie world and one in the pop world. But they are leaning pop. In the last year, they’ve released a string of radio-worthy gems, and are kicking off an Atlantic-backed tour early next year. “Hopefully we’re ready for it,” Angle laughs.

On Friday, Cardiknox released its latest dance-y pop banger, “On My Way.” It’s the sort of song you can hum along to the very first time you hear it. And to mark the release, the band has created this fashion runway–inspired lyric video, debuting exclusively on Vogue.com. Here, more from Angle about her fashion taste and the making of the video.

So why the runway footage for this video?
There’s something incredibly empowering about watching people strut down a fashion runway. There’s determination in their stride—they look and feel fabulous. They’re modeling art. It’s magical to watch. That feeling of the runway marries so well to the lyrical themes of “On My Way”—self-awareness, strength, and determination—so we wanted to find clips that visually spoke to those themes.

How did you pick which shows and designers to use?
We spent a lot of time combing through runway footage and ultimately fell in love with different parts of each of these designer’s shows. Each one has seriousattitude. The regal looks of the YSL line feel so classic; they’re the ones in the furs and capes. The huge coats and incredible silhouettes belong to Claude Montana. Love how mysterious they feel. The retro pilot looks are Betsey Johnson, and the playful “punkature” is Vivienne Westwood. You can’t help but feel empowered and on your way from watching these clips.

Do you wear much Claude Montana?
I’m woefully unable to personally own many pieces from these designers’ collections (maybe one day!), but I’m a big fan of them all. When I was young, I loved how loud Betsey Johnson was. Her clothes were both totally feminine while harnessing an attitude that at times felt pretty brash. I was inspired by that “contradiction”: I can be both a woman and be loud, wild, and unruly. Vivienne Westwood championed punk in the fashion scene, which is rad. Back in the day, she was outfitting the likes of The Sex Pistols and finding ways to bring fashion and music together—which is obviously something we’re still very interested in today. YSL is such an icon of the fashion world, especially women’s contemporary fashion, it felt very important to include them. And Claude Montana, though definitely the least known to me when we started making the video, has turned out to be maybe my favorite designer of them all. The oversize coats and shades that the models are wearing in these takes are fabulous. I would wear any of them today. And looking back through his old collections makes me realize what a visionary he was. He’s the king of loud silhouettes (my favorite) and bold designs. I would rock any and all of his clothing.

Were there any shows you wanted to include but couldn’t?
Because our music is so heavily influenced by the ’80s, we wanted to pull runway footage from that era that we loved. We couldn’t find much usable footage from YSL’s ’80s shows, so we settled for this show from ’76-’77, which more than suffices. I would have loved to also add Jean Paul Gaultier, who is so insanely brilliant, such a dramatic visionary . . . and constantly creating jaw-dropping work. Plus, gotta give credit where credit is due—the Madonna cone bra, anyone?! So iconic. Ultimately, though, the footage of his that we were able to get our hands on didn’t make the cut.

If you could have any designer dress you for your upcoming tour, who would it be?
It would be a dream to collaborate with Moschino. Jeremy Scott is doing amazing things as their creative director. I love how he elevates classic designs with crazy patterns and themes. We’re working with a rad street artist, Tristan Eaton, who’s painting our album cover, and it would be the ultimate collab to take Eaton’s imagery/icons/colors and use that to inspire my show clothes.

Also, fun side note, we’re shooting a music video for “On My Way” and I’m wearing a ridiculously gorgeous Moschino jacket from their FW14 collection.